UPS (NYSE:UPS) today announced it soon will become the first package carrier to offer customers the option of a paperless commercial invoice for customs clearance. In addition, it soon will offer a return service with the most global coverage in the industry expanding from 30 countries in Europe to 98 countries worldwide.
The new services -- UPS Paperlesssm Invoice and international UPS Returnssm -- will be introduced in January and will make it even easier for customers to expand their businesses to new markets around the globe.
“Businesses of all sizes count on UPS to simplify international shipping and optimize supply chains,” said Kurt Kuehn, UPS senior vice president of worldwide sales and marketing. “These new services illustrate how the synergy of UPS technology and the company’s credibility with customs officials around the world is dramatically changing the future of global shipping.”
UPS Paperless Invoice
UPS Paperless Invoice will enable customers internationally shipping small packages internationally to “go paperless”. It will fully utilize UPS technology innovation to help integrate order processing, shipment preparation and commercial invoice data and then transmit that data to customs offices across the globe, eliminating the need for paper commercial invoices. Once launched, UPS will be the only carrier to offer customers a paperless commercial invoice process for international shipping.
The majority of the small packages UPS ships internationally – everything besides a letter or document -- require a commercial invoice. UPS Paperless
Invoice allows shipments to clear multiple customs lines using electronic data instead of paper forms. Because information is stored electronically, customers greatly reduce their chance of making manual errors when filling out customs documentation.
Customers also can breathe easier knowing that the technology won’t allow them to submit incomplete customs paperwork. Incomplete forms are one of the main reasons shipments are held at clearance.
“UPS Paperless saves time, money and trees” John Tansey, General Manager UPS (UAE) LLC. “It saves our customers time and resources by reducing office supplies and staff time associated with customs paperwork. It also gives our customers an easy, painless way to make a positive environmental impact by eliminating paper.”
UPS Returns
Today, many companies hesitate to sell globally because of the difficulty of facilitating a return if their customer is not satisfied. UPS Returns is the only industry offering that will allow the recipients of packages to efficiently return them in 98 countries or territories worldwide.
These recipients can receive the international return label and commercial invoice via e-mail, local post or from a UPS driver picking up the return package. The requestor can designate the parties responsible for paying the transportation, duties and taxes.
The expanded service will help improve a company’s cash flow through the faster return of goods while reducing support costs from less use of phone centre or help desk services. UPS Returns will not only expand the geographic reach of businesses, it also will help to increase repeat business through a reliable and smooth returns process.
UPS Returns will be easily accessed via UPS shipping systems like UPS WorldShip™, UPS Internet Shipping and UPS CampusShip where the shipper can print, mail or e-mail the return label and commercial invoice to their customer. The solution also can be integrated into a company’s systems and/or web site. In addition, UPS visibility solutions, like tracking on ups.com or Quantum View™ Manage, also will be used to track the packages being returned.
UPS Paperless is provided to customers at no additional charge while rates for UPS Returns vary depending upon the shipment. Fees for international UPS Returns can include transportation, a shipping label and applicable duties and taxes.
UPS, which celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2007, is the world’s largest package delivery company and a global leader in supply chain services, offering an extensive range of options for synchronising the movement of goods, information and funds. Headquartered in Atlanta, USA, UPS serves more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. UPS's stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange (UPS) and the company can be found on the Web at www.UPS.com. To get UPS news direct, visit www.pressroom.ups.com.
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Except for historical information contained herein, the statements made in this release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the US Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of UPS and its management regarding the company's strategic directions, prospects and future results, involve certain risks and uncertainties. Certain factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including economic and other conditions in the markets in which we operate, governmental regulations, our competitive environment, strikes, work stoppages and slowdowns, increases in aviation and motor fuel prices, cyclical and seasonal fluctuations in our operating results, and other risks discussed in the company's Form 10-K and other filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, which discussions are incorporated herein by reference.
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